consumerism

Why are all CVS drugstores carpeted? I find it terribly irking. Every time I walk into a CVS, I want to walk right back out. I don't go to CVS that often--I usually go to Walgreens--but when I do, the first thought that always crosses my mind is, "Oh yeah, these places are carpeted," and I think about how weird that makes the merchandise look, how un-shiny and un-consumery and un-wantable. It's like someone bought a bunch of metal shelves and set them up in their living room and hooked up a few fluorescent lighs. They recently opened up a CVS right by school, on State and Congress, which is too convenient, and they've got four security guards in there at any given time making sure all the backpacked eighteen-year-olds aren't pocketing condoms and gum. I walked in for a snack after my night class a few days ago and settled on chocolate covered pretzels. They didn't taste as good as I wanted them to, and I blame it on the carpet. Can you imagine how disgusting that carpet gets, especially in the winter? I don't get it. Is it to keep people from slipping and falling and suing?